Folding wheel chair



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FOLDING WHEEL CHAIR Filed Sept. 10'. 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.flee United States Patent FOLDING WHEEL CHAIR Robert E. Lee,Alexandria,a., assignor to Anthony G. Allison, Chicago, Ill.

Application September 10, 1953-, Serial No. 379,361

Claims- CCI..15530).

The present invention relates to wheel chairs and, partiltltularly, toimprovements in folding or collapsible wheel c airs.

Various devices have been-proposed'for centuriespast to provide aconveyance for the physically disabled; which devices have evolved intothe relatively modern wheel chair. Wheel chairs may be classifiedintotW-o broad categories', namely, rigid andfolding. Generally,however, both types comprise a chair including a pair of side frames, aseat and a back rest extending between the side frames, and a pluralityof ground engaging Wheels movably'support-ing the chair, at least someof the wheels being adapted to be motivated by the chair occupant toeffect propulsion of the chair. in the rigid type, the side frames areperma nently disposed in spaced parallel relation and the seat and backrest are usually rigid-..mernbers. In the folding or collapsible type, acollapsible linkage is utiliz'ed to connect the side frames, and theseat and back rest are formed of flexible material or'the like, wherebythe side frames are adaptedto be moved'from a foldedposition adjacent.one another to a normal position in spaced parallel relation'with theseat and back rest extending sub stantially tautly therebetw'een.

Despite the long history and high'degree' of activity in the wheel chairart, conventional wheel chairs, both of the-rigid and foldingtyp'e's,suifer a great many disadvantages.

While wheelchairs of the r-igidtype have performed an invaluable servicein the past, particularly in hospitals and the like wherethe buildingWasde's'igned to accommodate wheel chairs, wheeled. emergency tables andthe like, and Where the chairs were usedo'nlyin the; hospital, the sameare rapidly falling out of demand-due to their lack of adaptability tovarying environs, their bulk; the extreme inconvenience of transportingthe same, and-so on. Folding or collapsible wheel chairs are taking overthe market due to their relatively light weight, relatively less bulk,and their ability to be transported ina folded position and set up foruse wherever desired; However, even the most recent develc a'pments infolding wheel chairs suffer many disadvantages, especially with respect.to'the collapsible linkage. Two general-types. are employedcommercially. With one, the chair is adapted to be col-- lapsed to aposition wherein the side frames are closely adjacent one another, butwhereinv the seat portion of the chair is elevated a substantial extentto increase the overall height of-t-he chair. With the other, the heightof the chair is not increased, but then the side frames cannot be movedclosely adjacent one another. Accord ingly, conventional-wheel chairs intheir collapsed posi tion comprise a bulky and unwieldy package.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved collapsiblelinkage mean an folding wheel chairs accommodating collapsing-or foldingof the chair to acompact package wherein the height of .the chair. isnot increased over that of the chair in its extended position andwherein the side frames are disposed'closelyv adjacent one another. V

One particular advantage of folding wheel chairs is 2,847,058 PatentedAug. 12, 1958 ice that the same are adapted to be moved or propelledfrom indoors to outdoor whereby a disabled person using the chair is notconfined to a restricted orbit of activity. However, when in useoutdoors, the wheel chair is required to travel over bumpy sidewalks andthe like, the bumps in which impart undesirable shock to the personusingthe chair. Certain collapsible" linkages which have been proposedheretofore for wheelchairs allegedly provide a knee action support forthe chair seat to absorb such shock. However, such linkages do notprovidetrue knee actionbut only a degree of flexibility that isaccomplished by a sacrifice of adequate support forthe seat.

An object of the present invention is to'pr ovision of an improvedcollapsible linkage for folding wheel chairs adapted to connect' theside frames of. the chair and:to support the side frames in such manneras to'accommo date independent movement of each frame in a verticalpl-ane whereby each ground engaging wheelof the chair, impracticaleffect, is independently suspended.

A- further object of the invention is .the provision of improved seatmeans for folding wheel chairs comprising a pair of rigid seat partspivotally connected together at their inner longitudinal edges,centrally of the chair, to provide a rigid, substantially horizontalseat in the extended position of the chair, whereby the, chair occupantis-firmlyand comfortably supported.

Astill further object of the invention is the'provision of the improvedlinkage means and the improved seat means above referred to incombination, wherein the seat haslimited connection to theside framesand is otherwise supportedsby thelinkage, and wherein the linkageaccommodates independent movement of the side frames, thestructurebcin-g such thatthe two seat portions or parts, in the extendedposition of use of the chair, are constantlyi maintained in a commonsubstantially horizontal plane, despite independent movement of the sideframes, whereby the chair occupant is supported on the stabilizedseatand shock is absorbed by the knee action of the sideframes toprovide an easy and comfortable ride for the chair. occupant despiteirregularities and bumps in the surface traversed.

To provide for the comfort of the physically disabled and, particularly,to provide supporting surfaces for the legs. of-persons afflicted withdisability of the leg, wheelchairs should be equipped with leg rests.-Leg rests are readily provided in rigid wheel chairs, but such restshave conventionally taken the form of board-like. members affordinglittle if any comfort. The-provisionof adequate leg rests in foldingwheel chairs is somewhat diflicult of. accomplishment since the restsnormally would interfere with folding of the chair. It is an object ofthe present invention to provide improved leg rests for wheel chairsthat firmly support and comfortably rest the legs of. the chair occupantand that readily accommodatecolla-psing or folding of the chair.

In accordance with the above object, and as further objects of theinvention, I provide improved leg rests comprising side frames overwhich a flexible fabric is tautly stretched to provide a firm yetcomfortable support for the legs. Each rest is adapted to support oneleg and comprises: a pair of similar sections formed as described andtelescopically associated with one another to provide an extensible legrest adjustable to the particular requirements of the user. The legrestis adapted to be supported atone end of one section thereof adjacentthe front thereof adjacent the front end of the seat, each leg rest isassociated with one of the two parts of the seat and is releasablysupported with respect to the front edge of the seat part. In itscollapsed or non-extended position, the leg rest is substantiallyrectangular and of dimensions less than those of the seat part, wherebythe leg rest is adapted to be stored beneath the seat part. To store theleg rest, the same is detached from the foot rest, collapsed and movedto a position beneath the seat. In such position, the leg rest, which isrelatively thin, in no way interferes with folding and unfolding of thechair, and yet is readily accessible by the chair occupant for use whendesired.

It is also an object of the invention to provide novel support and guidemeans disposed beneath each seat part or portion of the wheel chair tosupport each leg rest in its stored position, to guide the leg rest toits in-use position, and to support one end of the leg rest in itsin-use position. As to other support means for the leg rest, it is anobject to provide cooperable means at the outer or lower end of the legrest and the rearward edge of the foot rest comprising a readilyattachable and detachable connection adapted to be effected convenientlyby the occupant of the wheel chair and adapted to afford a firm supportfor the leg rest regardless of the position of the foot rest, whichconnection will not inadvertently or accidentally become detached.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved foldingwheel chair comprising a pair of side frames, a pair of seat partshingedly connected at their inner sides to one another and at theirouter sides to the side frames, collapsible linkage means extendingbetween the side frames and associated with the seat parts, the linkageand seat parts accommodating movement of the side frames toward oneanother to a folded position, wherein the seat parts are disposedsubstantially vertical with their lower surfaces facing one another, andaway from one another to an extended position, wherein the seat partsare disposed in a common horizontal plane, and an extensible leg restassociated with each seat part, each leg rest in its non-extendedposition being of a size less than that of the respective seat part andbeing adapted to be stored closely adjacent the lower surface of theseat part, whereby the seat parts may be moved to the said foldedposition without detachment of the leg rests from the chair.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedfolding wheel chair of economical manufacture and assembly, that ishighly efiicient and practical in use, comfortable, easily operated,light in weight, readily trans ported from place to place, and thataffords the physically disabled user the opportunity of escaping theconfining orbit of activity customarily associated with physicaldisability.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodimentof the invention.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner ofmaking and using the wheel chair of my invention, I shall describe, inconnection with the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of myinvention, and a preferred manner of making the same.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thefolding wheel chair of my invention, the view showing the chair in itsextended position and showing one leg rest of the chair in its in-useposition;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment of the wheel chair shownin Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a generally frontal view of the wheel chair, with the legrests and foot rests removed, disclosing the collapsible linkage at thefront of the chair only, the view showing the extended position of thechair in solid lines, and the folded position thereof in dotted lines;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary frontal view of the chair showing amodification of the seat hanging;

Figure 5 is a view somewhat similar to Figure 3 taken from the rear ofthe wheel chair, with the back rest removed, showing the collapsiblelinkage at the rear of the chair only, the view showing the extendedposition of the chair in solid lines and the folded position thereof indotted lines;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view, on an enlargedscale, taken inwardly of one side frame of the Wheel chair, as isindicated by the line 6-6 in Figure 3, showing a foot rest, a foot restsupport and a leg rest, the foot rest, foot rest support and leg restbeing shown in solid lines in one position of use and in dotted lines ina second position of use, and the leg rest being shown in dotted linesin its stored position;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the chair showing,particularly, one leg rest, one foot rest and the associated foot restsupport;

Figure 8 is a rear elevation, on an enlarged scale, of one leg rest, onefoot rest and one foot rest support, the view being taken substantiallyon line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of one leg rest, the viewbeing taken on an enlarged scale and substantially on line 9-9 of Figure7 (and similar to dotted line 9-9 in Figure 8); and

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of one foot rest support showing thelocking means associated therewith for adjusting the length of thesupport, the view being taken on an enlarged scale and substantially online 10-10 of Figure 7 (and similar to dotted line 10-10 in Figure 8).

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, I haveshown a preferred embodiment of the wheel chair of my invention ascomprising a pair of side frames 20, each providing a mounting for aground engaging traction wheel 22, a ground engaging caster wheel 24 anda hand wheel 26. The two side frames 20 are disposed in spaced parallelrelation in all positions thereof and are connected together bycollapsible linkage means, namely, a front linkage 28 and a rear linkage30, whereby the side frames are movable from the extended position shownin Figure 1, wherein the same are disposed in substantially spacedrelation, to a collapsed position wherein the same are disposed adjacentone another, as is shown in dotted lines in Figures 3 and 5. A two partseat 32 is disposed between the side frames, as is a back rest 34, theback rest 34 extending between a pair of supports 36, each of which ismounted on one of the side frames 20. At the front of the chair, a footrest support 38 is pivoted to each of the side frames and each support38 carries a foot rest 40, which in turn is adapted to provide supportfor a leg rest 42.

The side frames 20 are the same as one another, with the exception thatthe same are of opposite hands, and each comprise a pair of generallyvertical beams 44 and a pair of generally horizontal beams 46.

The rear vertical beam 44 and the lower horizontal beam 46 arepreferably formed of tubular stock, with the beams being curved at thelower and forward ends thereof, respectively, to provide a stablesupport and to accommodate the traction wheel 22, respectively. At therearward end thereof, the lower horizontal beam 46 extends beyond therear vertical beam 44 to provide a mounting for a tubular bearingportion 48 within which the mounting means 50 of the caster wheel 24 isjournaled. The upper generally horizontal beam 46 includes a horizontalarm rest portion 52 formed of tubular stock that is secured to the topof the rear vertical beam 44 and extends forwardly therefrom toterminate short of the front vertical beam 44. Forwardly of the arm restportion 52 thereof, the upper generally horizontal beam 46 includes afork portion 54 extending forwardly and downwardly of the arm restportion 52. The fork portion 54 may suitably comprise a tube fiattenedat its ends and welded or otherwise secured to the outer side of the armrest 52 at one end thereof, and a bar of generally channel form disposedto the inner side of the frame in the samemanner as the tube of the forkis secured to the outer side of the frame. Preferably, thechannel-shaped inner bar of the fork is a planar member and extendsforwardly from the arm rest portion 52 in parallel relation thereto,while the outer tubular member of the fork first extends outwardly ofthe arm rest tube 52 and then forwardly therefrom in slightly spacedrelation to the vertical plane of the tube 52 to provide the said forkportion 54. At the outer or forward end thereof, the bar and tube of thefork portion 54 each carry a wheel mount 56 for the hand wheel 24, eachwheel mount comprising a member formed of sheet stock and including acircular central portion and a pair of radially extending legs 58. Aswill be appreciated from Figure 2, one leg 58 of each mount 56 entersinto and is secured within the flattened end portion of the outside tubeof the fork and the channel of the inside bar of the fork, respectively.The other leg 58 of each mount; 56 extends in the direction of the frontgenerally vertical beam 44.

The front vertical beam of each side frame includes a relatively shortcentral section 60 of tubular form to which the forward end of the lowerhorizontal beam 46 is secured, as by welding. To the upper side of thesection 60 thereof, the front vertical beam 44 includes a fork portion62 of the same general character as the fork portion 54, the members ofwhich are secured at the upper end thereof to the said other leg 58 ofthe respective wheel mounts 56 and at the lower end thereof to oppositesides of the central section 60. Below the central section 60,- thefront vertical beam includes a second fork portion 64 comprising afirst. tubular member 66 disposed to the outside of the frame and asecond tubular member 68 secured to the inside of the frame. Preferably,the tubular member 66 comprises an integral continuation of the outermember of the forkportion 62, and the second tubular member 68 ispreferably a separate member fixedly secured to the inside of thecentral section 60 on top of the inside channel bar of the. fork portion62, the member 68 at its upper end defining an abutment adjacent thelevel of the lower surface of the seat 32 for a purpose to bedescribed.At the lower end thereof, eachof the tubular members 66 and 68 isflattened forthe conformable reception and securement therein of thesingle leg of a mounting member 70 for the traction wheel 22.

In construction, all of the-members of each side frame 20 arepreferablyformed of light weight yet sturdy stock, such as aluminum, and arerigidly secured together to provide a frame affording a first fork. 64,comprising the members66, 68 and 70, opening to the bottom of the framefor the reception of the traction wheel- 22, a second fork, comprising.thefork portions 54 and 62 and the wheel mounts 56, opening. to the topand front of the-frame for. the reception of the hand wheel 26, and abearing portion 48 for the receptionof the caster wheel.24. In suchconstruction, as will be apparent, the three wheels 22, 24 and 26 aredisposed in alignment with the frame, particularly the rear verticalbeam 44, the lower horizontal beam 46 and the arm rest portion 52thereof, whereby the complete assembly of wheels and frame is not-ofsubstantially greater width than the frame alone of a conventional wheelchair; In such assembly, the three wheels are disposed in spacedrelation in a common vertical plane.

The traction wheel 22preferably comprises a pair of spun metal discs 72which are dished oppositely of each other adjacentthe center of thewheel and are broughtand secured-together along a circular line spacedinwardly of the periphery of the wheel, the portions of the discoutwardly ofthe circ ular line of securement thereoftbeingoppositelycurved to define a substantially semicylindrical' recess forthe reception of a conventional rubber tile 74. Adjacent thecenterthereof, the discs 6 are turned inwardly to define a hub mounted bymeans of hearings on an axle comprising a boltextending through the twoWheel mounting members 70 and the bearings, the assembly being securedtogether by a nut threaded to one end of the bolt.

The hand wheel 26 is preferably formed and mounted in much the samemanner as the traction wheel 22. However, to provide a wheel optimumlygripped and manipulated by the chair occupant, the inner disc of thewheel, as indicated at 72h, preferably is a planar member, only theouter disc being dished, and the two discs themselves provide agenerally cylindrical rim portion for engagement by the chair occupant.Preferably, the radially inward surface of the said rim' portion to theoutside of the wheel is provided with finger indentations, and a rubbersheath 86 is provided on the said rim portion to afford an optimum handgripping. surface;

As will be appreciated,..the handwheel 26 isdisposed immediately forwardof the arm rest portion 52 of the side frame whereby the same is adaptedreadily tobe manipulated by the chair occupant for the purpose ofmotivating the ground engaging traction wheel 22 to propel the chair. Toestablish driving connection be tween the wheels 22 and 26, a toothedsprocket 88 is secured to the exterior surface of each wheel, and adrive chain 92 is trained over the two sprockets. The chain drive ispositive and thus preferred. However,- other conventional drives may beemployed. If desired, the sprockets 88 may be of different sizes, as maythe wheels 22 and 26, to provide various speed ratios. However, I havefound it preferable to provide sprock ets- 88 of the same size andwheels 22 and 26' of the same size. A suitable wheel size is 10 inchesin diam eter, while a suitable sprocket is 3% inches in diameterandprovided with 22 teeth. With wheels of the size stated, asuitable casterwheel sizeis- 6 inches in diam eter, the assembly thus formed providinga stable sup-- port for the chair occupant. As will be appreciated, thesprockets 88 are disposed inwardly of the adjacent fork member wherebythe sprockets, the chain and the two wheels of the drive mechanism aredisposed en-' tirely within the lateral limits of the side frame.Preferably, the sprockets 88 and chain 92 are shielded, forestheticpurposes as well as to prevent injury as a result of entanglement in thechain, by a guard 93 which may suitably be secured to the frame byscrews passed through the guard and threaded into a tapped portion ofthe axial bore in each of theaxle boltsof thetwo wheels.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 5, the linkage means connecting the twoside frames 20 is shown as comprising the front linkage 28 (Figure 3),the rear linkage 30 (Figure 5) and the seat 32. As shown, the seat 32com prises two parts each including a generally rectangular base 94formed of angle members, a seat board restedupon and secured to thehorizontal legs of the angle members, with the vertical legs of theangle membersextending downwardly from the seat board, a cushion for theseat board and a long wearing cover for the cushion, such as leather orthe like. At the rear of the wheel chair, each seat part carries a tab96, secured to the vertical leg of one of the angle members of the' base94', adapted for the reception of a pivot pin by meansof which each seatpart is pivotally connected to a lug- 98 secured to one of the sideframes, whereby each seat part is pivoted at the rearward edge thereoftoa side frame.

As shown, the tabs 96 and lugs 98 are soconstructed and: arranged as todisposethe pivotal axis of the seat inv spaced parallel relation to therespective side frame to accommodate movement of the seat cushion andcover into the space between the pivot and the side frame. Preferablythe seats are supported by the side framesonly at the rearward portionthereof, as thus far described. However, if" desired andfor a purpose tobe described,

a similar pivot mounting may be provided adjacent the front of the seatas is indicated at 96 and 98f in the Figure 4 showing of the thusmodified form of the chair.

The two parts of the seat 32 are pivotally connected at the inner sidethereof, centrally of the side frames 20, by means of arms 100 securedto the vertical leg of the end angle members of the respective seat base94 at the front and rear of each part of the seat, the arms being curveddownwardly to provide a pivot spaced below the level of the seat andbeing there connected by a pin or bolt 102. Accordingly, it will beappreciated that the two seat parts are pivotally associated formovement from a horizontal in line position, as shown in solid lines inFigures 3 and 5, toa vertical position wherein the bottom surfaces ofthe two seat parts are substantially in engagement, as is shown indotted lines in Figures 3 and 5.

The front collapsible linkage 28 of the chair is disposed adjacent thefront of the seat 32, forwardly of the front vertical beams 44 of theside frames and rearwardly of the front of the seat, and comprises avertical link 104 pivotally mounted at its upper end on the centralpivot 102 of the seat parts and pivotally connected at its lower endcentrally of the side frames to a pair of pivotally connected horizontallinks 106 and 108, the pivotal connection of the three links beingaccomplished by means of a pivot pin or bolt 110. One of the horizontallinks, the link 106, is preferably a strap-like member of a length onlyslightly greater than one-half the spacing between the side frames inthe extended position thereof, whereas the other horizontal link 108 isof channel form, with the channel opening downwardly, and of a lengthsubstantially greater than one-half the spacing between side frames. Inassembly, the vertical link 104 is pivoted to the outside of the channellink 108 while the horizontal link 106 is received within the channellink 108 and is adapted to abut against the base wall of the portion,indicated at 109, of the channel 108 extending beyond the pivot 110 inthe horizontal position of the links 106 and 108, whereby a stop isprovided to prevent collapsing of the linkage in a downward direction.Each of the links 106 and 108 is pivotally connected at the outer endthereof, with respect to the side frames 20, by means of a pivot pin orbolt 112 to a suitable strap or bracket 114 secured to the frontvertical beam 44 of the respective side frame. In use, as will beapparent, the linkage 28 is movable, with the two parts of the seat 32,from the extended position shown in solid lines to the collapsedposition shown in dotted lines to accommodate collapsing of the cart.the linkage 28 provides a firm support for the seat and side frames andthe extending portion 109 of the link 108 affords a stop defining alimit of downward movement, in a manner to be described more fullyhereinafter,

whereby collapsing of the linkage in a downward direction is prevented.

The rear collapsible linkage 30, as shown in Figure 5, is disposedapproximately in alignment with the rear vertical beams 44 of the sideframes 20 and comprises a vertical link 116, a pair of horizontal links118, a pair of diagonal links 120 and a guide block 122. As shown, thevertical link 116 is pivotally mounted at the upper end thereof on thecentral pivot 102 of the seat parts at the rear of the chair. At thelower end of the vertical link, the vertical link 116 and the horizontallinks 118, which are identical, are pivotally connected togethercentrally of the side frames. At the outer end thereof, each of thehorizontal links 118 is pivotally connected, with respect to the sideframes, to a bracket 124 secured to the respective side frame by meansof a pivot pin or In the extended position thereof,

passage therein adapted for the comformable reception of the verticallink 116 whereby the block is slidably mounted on the link 116 formovement with respect thereto. The block also includes a pair of pivotpins or bolts 128 disposed to opposite sides of the link 116, upon eachof which the inner end of one of the diagonal links 120 is mounted.Preferably, the diagonal links 120 are of downwardly open channel formand the block 120 and horizontal links 118 are received within thechannel. As will be appreciated from a consideration of Figure 5, therear linkage 30 is movable from an extended position, as shown in solidlines, to a collapsed position, as is shown in dotted lines, wherein thevertical link 1116 is moved upwardly through the block 122 to elevatethe central pivot of the two seat parts and accommodate collapsing ofthe chair. In addition, the vertical link, at its upper end, is enlargedto present an abutment engageable with the block 22 to prevent downwardcollapsing of the linkage.

The assembly of the two collapsible linkages 28 and 30, the two parts ofthe seat 32 and the two side frames 20 affords a particularlyadvantageous collapsible or folding chair assembly in that the two sideframes are adapted to be moved from an extended position in spacedparallel relation, in which the same are firmly braced by the linkages,to a collapsed position, as shown in dotted lines in Figures 3 and 5,wherein the side frames are disposed closely adjacent one another andthe seat parts are folded to a position wherein the same do not increasethe overall height of the chair, that is, the same are disposed belowthe arm rest portions 52 of the side frames. In the collapsed position,the chair is a very compact and readily handled package adapted forconvenient transportation from place to place. The linkage meansfacilitates an extremely simple and convenient folding and unfolding ofthe chair. For example, when extending the chair from the collapsedposition thereof, it is merely necessary that a slight separating forcebe exerted on the side frames, whereupon the side frames are readilymoved apart to their fully extended position. To collapse the chair, itis merely necessary to exert a slight upward pull at the centralconnection of the two seat parts, whereby the linkage means and seatparts are conditioned to accommodate ready movement of the side framesinto a position closely adjacent one another. In either positionthereof, however, the linkage means retains the side frames in theintended disposition in parallel relation until force is exerted thereonin a given direction to change the spacing between the side frames.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the present invention providesan improved and readily manipulated folding or collapsible wheel chairas has been pointed out hereinbefore.

In addition to the foregoing, the said assembly affords a highlyefficient and practical knee action shock absorbing function,particularly when the seat is connected to the side frames only at therear thereof. In such assembly, the two collapsible linkages, andespecially the rear linkage, accommodate relative m0vement in verticalplanes of the two side frames, and the seat mounting accommodatespivotal movement in a vertical plane of each side frame with respect tothe seat. In view of the accommodation afforded by the assembly for thedefined relative movements, it will be appreciated that to a practicaleffect each of the ground engaging wheels 22 and 24 is independentlysuspended, thus to afford true shock absorbing characteristics.Obviously, some limit of relative movement must be afforded to preventcomplete collapse of the chair. These limits comprise the stop portion109 of the front linkage 28, the provision of the abutment portion atthe upper end of the tubular member 68 of the traction wheel forkportion 64 of each side frame, which abutment is adapted to be engagedby the lower surface of the seat at the front thereof, and thedisposition of the position of the links, seat parts, and so on.

guide block 122 for. engagement with an enlarged portion atthe top. ofthevertical link 116 of the rearv linkage 30. These limit stops,.however, are not normally engaged when the chair is in use because ofthe particular dis- Accordingly, the relative movements defined above.will be accommodated, to the limits defined by the above stop means, toafford a true. kneeaction and shock absorbing function. In view ofthis-fact, each ground engaging wheelofthe chair, irr use of the chair,effectively is movable in a substantially vertical plane itself toabsorb any shockoccasioned in traversing an irregular or bumpy surface.The accommodation of the relative movements as. defined preventstransmission of shock or wheel movement to theseat. of the chair, thusto provide. a stabilized, comfortable ride for the person occupying theseat 32.

Whenthe seat hanging is. rigidified, as shownv in Figure. 4, by theaddition of pivotal mountings for the seatpartsto the side frames at thefront as well as at the rear, the shock absorbing function. isdiminished. However, such modified seat hanging may prove advantageousfor very heavy persons to afford greater seat support. In: particular,the rigidifiedseat hanging will assure uniformity of collapsing of thechair and, in cases of failure of properside frame alignment, willprevent toeing in or out of the front wheels whenv the chair is wheeledabout in its collapsed position. As shown, the seat hangingv at thefront issubstantially the same as that at the rear, except that the tab96 and lug 93) arespaced reanwardly of the front of theseat, to avoidobstruction of the seat, and are disposed in the region of the seatcushion, the lug 98 being turned downwardly and secured to the centralsection 60 of the? front vertical beam 44 of the respective side frame.

I have shown. the back rest 34 of the wheel chairv of my invention ascomprising a sheet of flexible material 13!), preferably the samematerial. as employed for the cushion cover of the seat,extendingbetween the back rest supports;36. Preferably, the sheet ofmaterial 130 is doubledover, or is hemmed at the longitudinal edgesthereof, whereby a mounting bar is adapted to be inserted between the.two layers' of material at each edge of the back rest. As thusassembled, the material 130 and the respective bar are secured. to therespective back rest: support 36 by screws'134.-passing throughbothlayers. of the material at the edge and the bar and threaded intothe respective support 36. As willbe.

appreciated, the material is: thus firmly and securely attached to eachof: the supports 36' to prevent tearing and rupture of the material.

Each-of the supports 36 preferably comprises a tube of'the samecharacter as employed in the side frames.

Adjacent the lower end thereof, each support 36 is adapted for thepassage therethrough of a bolt 136, which bolt also passes through. avertical slot provided in a bracket 138'. The bracket'138 isrigidlysecured, as by welding, to the rear vertical beam 44 of therespectiveside frame 20'adjacent the lower surface'of the seat 32, as is shown inFigure 2. Thebolt 136.and the bracket 138 serve to connect the support36'tothe respective side frame for pivotal and vertical sliding movementwith respect to the side frame. substantial vertical alignment'betweenthe rear beam 44 of the side frame and the support 36, whereby the axisof the support intersects the axis of thetubula-r armrest portion 52 ofthe respective side frame. The arm rest portion 52 of each side frame isadapted for the slidable reception of a tubular rod 140 or the like,which ro'd extends through the rearward open end of theportion-52 and atits outer end carries a clevis 142 adapted for'the reception of thebackrest support; the cl'evis and the support being pivotally connectedby means of a bolt or pin 144. The rod 140 is guided for movement in agiven path by the arm rest portion 52 of the side frame to ac Thebracket 138 is so disposed as to effect 10 commodate angular variationinv the disposition of:the back rest support with respect to-the seat3i2 andthe side frames 20,. which variation is accommodated by thepivotal and sliding connection at the bracket 138 and the pivotalconnection at the clevis 142. To retain the back rest supports38 andthus the back rest material in a desired position, a detent or latch 146ismounted on the arm rest portion 52; to the lower side thereof, of eachside frame. In particular, the latch 146-is pivotally mountedintermediate its. ends on the portion 52 and to one side of the pivotpresents a handle portion and to the opposite side of: the pivotpresents a finger portion 148 adapted to pass through a hole provided inthe tube 52 and into any one of a plurality'of longitudinally spacedholes150'provided-in the'rod 140. To afford automatic adjustment ofthe-back rest, .at least to the extent that adjustment is entirely underthe control of the chair occupant, a coiled tension spring 152-isdisposed within the rod and attached to the clevis 1-42at' one endthereof and to the armrest portion 52- at the other end thereofnormallyto bias the back rest support to a substantially verticalposition, as is shown in solid lines in Figure 2. As will bevappreciated, each side'frame is-equipped with the back rest supportassembly described, whereby the back rest 34 is readily moved to any oneof a plurality of inclined positions, as definedby the holes in the rod140, bythe occupant of the chair. Real-ward inclination of the back restis accomplished by the chair occupant merely byreleasing the'latches146, leaning against the material 130 and releasing the latches, whichare spring biased tolatched position, when the .back rest is inv acomfortable position. To returnthe back rest to. its substantiallyvertical: position, it is merely necessary that the latches be releasedand that pressure on the back rest be1removed,- by leaning forwardly inthe chair, whereupon the springs 152 effect the return. Preferably, amaximum degree of inclination of approximately 28 degrees, as indicatedin dotted lines in Figure 2, is defined by the length. of the slot-inthe bracket 138. From theforegoing, it will-be appreciated that theimproved back rest assembly provided by the present invention accom--modates complete adjustment of the back rest by. the

chair occupant, whereby the occupantcan attend to hisown comfort withoutassistance.

As will be appreciated, the .fiexible sheetof material 130 extendsfreely between-the back rest supports36, and thus between the sideframes .20, wherebythe same does not inany way interfere with readycollapsing of the chair. Also, the back rest supports 36 extend upwardlyabovethe-material 130'and are turned rearwardly at the upperends thereofto provide hand grips 153. The hand grips 153 facilitate pushing of thechair by anurse, and,v due to the connection of the supports 36 to theside frames, .such pushing will in no way result in discomfort to thechair occupant, since the. force is transmitted directly to thesideframes rather than to the backrest itself.

To' complete theupholstery of the chair proper, a-

cushioned arm rest 154 is disposed on the upper surface of thearm restportion 52 of each side frame, the samebeing? suitably secured to thetubular portion 52 by brackets'156.- As shown in Figure 2, eacharm rest154 extends-forwardly of the arm rest portion 52-to overlie a portion ofthe handwheel fork 54. Preferably, each arm rest 154 is provided with aninclined front edge. to accommodatedisposition of the armrestimmediately adjacent the rim. 84' of. the handwheel, whereby, thechair occupant mayrestihisarrns on the arm rests even;when" effectingpropulsion ofthe chair. Inaddition to the up-.-holsteredportionsthereof, each side frame preferably is provided with.an ornamental metallic shield 158 extendmg along the inside'of each sideframe from a level be-:

low the upper surface of the seat 32 and extending upwardly therefromand forwardly. of the hand wheel 26 to provide an enclosed-seat" portionand to protect. the chair l 1 occupant from any possible entanglement inthe hand wheel or associated apparatus.

To insure perfect safety of operation of the chair, and thus to induce asense of complete self-reliance on the part of the chair occupant, abrake mechanism is preferably provided for each of the traction wheelswhereby the chair may be parked by its occupant without concern. Asshownin Figure 2, each side frame 20, at the lower horizontal beam 46thereof, provides a pivotal mounting, as indicated at 160, adjacent theperiphery of the traction wheel 22, for a brake shoe 162. The brake shoe162 is preferably of channel form in cross section and includes abifurcated end portion adapted for association with the pivot 160, thebifurcated portion engaging opposite sides of the beam 46, whereby thebrake shoe is disposed in vertical alignment with the beam 46 and thetraction wheel 22. As will be appreciated, the base wall of the channelshaped brake shoe is adapted for engagement with the periphery of thewheel 22 to effect a braking action. To insure long wear and a firmbraking action, the brake shoe may suitably be provided, on the externalsurface of the base wall thereof, with a friction plate having aroughened surface or the like, for engagement with the periphery of therubber tire 74 provided on the traction wheel. Adjacent the end of thebrake shoe opposite the pivotal mounting thereof, the shoe includes astud projecting laterally from the base wall thereof and adapted for thereception of one end of a coiled compression spring 164. The other endof the spring may suitably engage about a similar stud provided on thelower surface of the beam 46, whereby the same is confined between thebeam 46 and the brake shoe to bias the shoe into engagement with theperiphery of the wheel 22. The spring 164 according to the presentinvention is especially strong to insure forcible braking engagement ofthe brake shoe and the wheel tire. To actuate the brake shoe, a brakelever 166 is provided, the same being pivoted to the beam 46 andextending upwardly toward the seat 32 of the chair. The lever 166 ismounted to provide a long lever arm to the handle side of the pivotthereof, and a short lever arm to the brake shoe side of the pivotthereof, whereby the brake is readily actuated despite the particularstrength of the spring 164 by the lever advantage afforded at the handleend of the lever. The lever 166 is preferably mounted to the inside ofthe beam 46 and is offset laterally above the beam to dispose the handleimmediately outside of the seat 32. At the lower end thereof, the brakelever 166 includes a cam portion comprising a cam surface 168 leadingfrom the edge of the lever to the locking recess. The brake shoe, at thefree end thereof, carries a pin 172 extending laterally inwardly of theside frame into the path of the cam portion of the lever 166, wherebythe said pin is adapted to be engaged by the cam surface 168 to cam thebrake shoe out of engagement with the tire of the wheel 22, andthereafter to move the pin into the said recess to lock the brake in itsreleased position. To reengage the brake, it is merely necessary for thechair occupant to move the handle of the lever 166 rearwardly to movethe cam 168 away from the pin 172, whereupon the spring 164 forces thebrake shoe against the wheel tire. As will be appreciated, each brake isthus adapted for independent actuation, not only to accommodate parkingof the chair in a stationary position, but also to assist in negotiatingturns if so desired by the chair occupant.

With reference to Figures 2 and 6 to 10, the foot rests and leg restsprovided according to the present invention for the wheel chair firstinclude a support bracket 174 secured to each side frame 20 andextending forwardly thereof. Preferably, each bracket 174 is ofgenerally U-shape in cross section adjacent the front vertical beam 44of the respective side frame and is secured, as by welding, to the upperportion of the central section 60 of the said beam. The bracket, in sideelevation, is of a configuration corresponding to the periphery of thehand wheel 26 and closely circumscribes the lower forward portion of theperiphery of the hand wheel, as is seen in Figure 2. At the outer endthereof, the bracket 174 is bifurcated, as by removal of the base wallof the U, and the said bifurcated portion is preferably reinforced byextending a portion of the base wall of the bracket diagonally acrossthe legs of the U, as is indicated at 176 in Figure 2. The saidbifurcated portion of each bracket 174 is adapted for the receptiontherein of one foot rest support 38, the foot rest support being pivotedto the bracket 174 by means of a pivot pin or bolt 178. As will beappreciated, each bracket 174 is disposed in the vertical plane definedby the hand and traction wheels on the respective side frame, wherebythe bracket and foot rest support in no Way obstruct the seat of thechair. From the pivot mounting 1.78 thereof, the foot rest support 38,as is shown in Figure 2 and as is shown in solid lines in Figure 6,extends rearwardly and downwardly toward the peripheral surface of thetraction wheel 22 on the respective side frame. Just above the wheel 22,the support 38 is curved laterally inwardly of the chair, as is shown inFigure 7, to clear the wheel, and then extends downwardly to a pointbelow the axle of the wheel.

The mounting provided at 178 for the foot rest support 38 accommodatesswinging or pivotal movement of the support from the position shown insolid lines in Figure 6 to the position shown in dotted lines in thatfigure. To effect control of such movement, an actuating rod 180 ispivotally connected to the support 38 adjacent the lateral bend or curvetherein. Preferably, the pivotal connection is accomplished merely byproviding a lateral extension on the rod 180 and extending the samefreely through a diamctrical hole provided in the support 38. The rod188 extends rearwardly and slightly downwardly from i the support 38 andpasses slidably through the central section 66 of the front verticalbeam 44 of the respective side frame. A guide for the rod 180 isprovided rearwardly of the front vertical beam on the lower horizontalbeam 46 of the respective side frame. Specifically, a guide tube 182 issecured to a mounting bracket 184, which in turn is attached to the beam46, preferably by the pivot for the brake shoe 162. The bracket 184 alsoprovides and comprises part of a lock for the actuating rod 180, thelock preferably being in the form of a transom lock and including amovable lock plate 186 disposed within a channel portion of the bracket184 and confined therein by a pin 188 and passage of the rod through thelock plate. The lock plate 186 is movable from the piston shown inFigure 2 to a position wherein the hole therein, through which the rod180 passes, is aligned with the guide tube 182 to accommodate freesliding movement of the rod therethrough. Upon release of the lock plate186, the same returns to the canted position shown, in which positionthe portions of the plate defining the boundary of the hole thereingrasp the rod to lock the same in adjusted position. If desired, aspring 187 may be confined between the bracket 184 and the plate 186 tobias the plate to locking position.

Preferably, the arrangement of the transom lock, and particularly thelock plate 186, is such, due to the angular positioning of the lockplate, that the lock provided thereby only prevents movement of the rod180 in one direction, namely rearwardly of the chair. Due to sucharrangement, the rod 180 may be moved forwardly of the lock withoutnecessity for releasing the lock plate 186 to increase the inclinationof the foot rest support to the vertical. Upon manual actuation of thelock plate, by moving the upper edge thereof toward the guide tube 182,the rod 180 is released whereupon return of the support 38 isautomatically effected due to its own weight. To insure positive lockingof the rod 180, the same is preferably provided with a roughenedsurface, suitably a screw thread as is shown. At the inner end thereof,the rod 180 carries a pair of nuts 190, adapted to lock against oneanother, to prevent inadvertent disassembly of the rod and guide tube.

r 13 Also, the nuts 190 serve to definea maximum angle of inclinationforthe foot rest suppor 38, the limits of movement of the support 38 asthus defined suitably comprising an angular path of 75 degrees, withinwhich path the foot rest support maybe locked at any desired position.

Due to the disposition of the actuating rod 180 and transom lock 184-186above the lower horizontal beam 46 of each side frame, the foot restsupports 38 are readily adjustable by the chair occupant himself withouthaving to call upon someone to assist him. To move the supportsforwardly, the chair occupant need only move the rod 180 forwardly, andto'move the supports rearwardly, he need only release the transom lock.Also, aswill be appreciated, each support is individually adjustable toafiord various occupants of the chair'a variety of" adjustments for eachfoot rest support to afford complete comfort.

To insure proper positioning of the foot rest supports when the same aredisposed in the vertical or down position thereof, each support maysuitably carry a cam lug extending rearwardly thereof and adapted toengage the tubular member 68 of the fork portion 64 of the respectiveside frame. The cam lug would normally engage the member 68 in suchmanner that a slight amount of 'force would have to be exerted to camthe support 38 inwardly of the frame to space the same an adequatedistance. from the, traction wheel. Such camming action also affords adetent lock between the support 38 and the member 68 whereby the supportis retained in a desired position adjacent the side. frame. Such lock isparticularly advantageous in maintaining the foot rest supports inproper positionwhen the chair is collapsed;

Each foot rest support 38 is hollow, and preferably formed of tubularstock, and at the lower end'thereof defines a socketaccommodatingmounting of onefoot rest 40 thereon. In particular, eachfoot .rest 40 includes an L-shaped rod 194 including a vertical leg anda substantially horizontal leg defining a pintle 196 as will bedescribed. The. vertical leg of the foot rest rod194 is. of a size to beconformably received within the tubular, foot rest support 38, the rod194 being adjustable longitudinally of the support 38 to vary the lengthof the foot rest according to the needs of various users of the chair.To lock the rod 194 in an adjusted position in the .tube 38, the tube isprovided with a peripheral opening which isbridged by a mounting bar198, see FigurelO, adapted for the, passage of a bolt carrying a pair oflocking lugs 200, which lugs are adapted forcibly to engage oppositesides of a radiallyraised longitudinally extending rib 202 provided onthe vertical leg 194. The lock thus provided is positive in action andassures proper positioning of the rod in the tube, particularly withrespect to proper disposition of the pintle pin 196in forwardlyextending relation. Such. disposition of the pintle pin 196 is insuredas aresult of a predetermined relation between:

The pintle 196 defined by the horizontalleg of the rod 194 preferablycomprises a tapered pintle pin, as shown in Figure 9, adapted to providea pivotal mounting for a platform portion 204 of the foot rest 40. Inparticular, the platform portion or member 204 includes a planarplatform surface and an enlarged tubular housing 206 provided at theouter side edge of the platform surface. The housing 206 is of alengthless than the corresponding dimension of the platform surface andis disposed in termediately thereof. The housing 206 is provided with atapered bore therein to receive the. pintle pin 196, the rearward edgeof the housing rotatably abutting an enlarged portion of the horizontalleg of the rod 194. Due to-thedisposition of the housing 206, theplatform surface of'the foot rest normally extends in a.horizontal planecoextensive with the full horizontal dimensionof the rod 194. As shownin Figure 6, the pintle 19.6v is of a length greater than the housing206 and extends beyond the same to the forward side of the platformsurface. This freely-extending portion of the pintle serves as a guidefor a coiled compression spring 208; whichin effect is compressedbetween the outer end of'the pintle 196 and the front edge of the.housing 206 to exert a friction load on the pivotal mounting of'thehousing on the pintle. Specifically, the spring 208 is disposed within acup.- shaped housing 210 which is secured, at the bottom wall thereof,to the end'of the pintle 19.6 by a screw. or the like. As will beappreciated, the spring 208.cxerts a friction load on the housing206, atthe abutting edges of the housing 206 'and'the rod'194, to retain theplatform member 204 in adjustedposition. However, such'friction loadalone would not beadequ-ate to, support the weight of the footoftheoccupant of the chair and for this reason a positive stop is providedto maintain the platform surface in its horizontal foot supportingposbtion. In, particular, an integral stop member 212v is formed on theexterior of the pintle housing 206 of the foot rest, the stop memberincluding a finger engageable with the vertical leg of the foot rest rod194 when the platform surface is in its horizontal position. From suchhorizontal position, the platform is adapted to be pivoted on the pintle196 to a substantially vertical out-of-theway position wherein therearwardportions of the plat: form engage the foot'rest support 38, theplatform being retained in such position by the friction load ofthespring 208. As will be appreciated, movement ofthe two foot rests to thevertical position thereof accom: modates collapsing of the chair in themanner describedv hereinbefore.

To prevent damage to furniture and thelike which may inadvertently bebumped by the chair occupant, the. foot rests 40 are each preferablyprovided in thefront and side edges thereof with a rubber bumper 214,Figure 7, which may suitably be set in a recess or groove provided.inthe said edges of the foot rest.

Adapted for use with the foot rest supports 38 and. the foot rests 40,as thus described, are a pair of leg rests 42. Considering first thestructure of each legrest,

reference is made to Figures 7, 8 and 9, wherein each.

leg rest is shown as comprising, with respect to the seat 32 ofthechair, an inner section 216 and an outer section 218, the twosections being telescopically associated with.

one anotherfor relative longitudinal movement. The

inner section 216 comprises a pair of. spaced, parallel.

longitudinal frame members orsidev rails 220-formed of angle members,which angle members each include an upstanding vertical leg having aportion thereof bent backv upon. itself. The two side rails are joinedat one end thereof, the end thereof adjacent the seat 32, by a frame.

member or cross rail 222 to maintain the same in spaced parallelrelation, the generally rectangular frame defined.

by the members 220 and,222.being of a size smaller than the interiordimensions of the rectangular seat base.

for theseat cushion cover and the back rest, is stretched.

tautly between the side rails 220, they same extending from the upperedges of the vertical legsof the, rails 220.in

spaced relation to the horizontal legs thereof, and being secured tothevertical legs by bringing the edges of the sheet of the materialovertheedges of the side rails andconfining the same between the bentportions of the.

vertical legs of the side rails, as by clipping, the said portionstogether. The inner leg rest section also includes an integral U-shapedmember 226 formed of cylindrical stock that is secured at the bightportion thereof to thecross rail 222 of the rectangular frame. The twolegs; of

15 the member 226 extend in inwardly spaced parallel relation to theside rails 220 adjacent and substantially in the plane of the horizontallegs thereof to define a pair of guide rails 228. At the bight portionthereof, the member 226 includes a secondary portion of U-shape,indicated at 230, for a purpose to be described.

The outer section 218 of each leg rest comprises a generally rectangularmetallic plate of a size slightly smaller than that of the inner section216. The metallic plate is formed at the side edges thereof to provide apair of spaced parallel upstanding side rails 232 of gen erally invertedU-shape in cross section, the outer vertical legs of the side railsbeing bent upon themselves in somewhat the same manner and for the samepurpose as the vertical legs of the side rails 220 of the inner section216. Specifically, a sheet of material 234 is caught at its edges by thebent portions of the side rails 232 and is stretched tautly between therails 232 in spaced relation to the plate portion of the outer leg restframe. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the side rails 232 of the outersection 218 are each formed to comprise, for a distance adjacent theinner end thereof, a regular inverted U, but throughout the majorportion of the length thereof present a distorted inside leg of the Uwhich is first bent laterally toward the center of the frame and thendownwardly to the base wall of the frame, as is indicated at 236.

In assembly, the outer section 218 of the leg rest is telescopicallyreceived within the inner section 216, with the side rails 232 of theouter section being confined between the sheet of material 224 and thehorizontal legs of the side rails 220 of the inner frame or section. Ineffecting such assembly, the guide rails 228 of the inner section aredisposed against the inner surface of the inner leg of the regular Uportion of the side rails of the outer section 218 and against the outersurface of the inner leg of the irregular portion 236 of that section,said guide rails at the free end thereof being connected to the siderails 220 of the inner section 216 by suitable clamps 238 and bolts 240.As will be appreciated from such assembly, the guide rails 228 and theside rails 226 and 232 of the two sections effect a slidable associationof the two sections whereby the assembly is extensible and contractibleto the various requirements of users of the wheel chair of the presentinvention. In the assembly, the side rails of the two sections compriselongitudinal guide means, and the side rails 232 of the outer sectioncomprise guide tracks for the guide rails 228. A limit to collapsingmovement is provided by the cross rail 222 of the inner section and alimit of extending movement is provided by the clamps 238 when engagedby the wall portion of the side rails of the outer section at theseparation of the two inner leg portions of that section.

In use, the tautly stretched sheets of leg rest material 224 and 234will provide a firm yet cushiony support for the legs of the occupant ofthe chair. Since the sheets of material are spaced from the baseportions of the frames 216 and 218, comfort of the user is insured. Eachleg rest 42, when in the position of use thereof, is pivotally supportedat the inner or upper end thereof, the inner end of the inner section216, adjacent the front edge of the seat 32 by a relatively narrow ledgemember or support 242 secured to the lower surface of the respectiveseat part. The ledge 242 is curved slightly upwardly at the frontthereof partially to define a cylindrical recess adapted for thereception of the U or handle portion 230 of the guide rail member 226,whereby each leg rest is pivotally mounted at the front central portionof a part of the seat 32. At the lower or outer end thereof, the outerend of the outer section 218, the leg rest is attached to and supportedby the foot rest 40 for movement with the foot rest and support both asto longitudinal and pivotal adjustment. To accommodate attachment, theouter section of the leg rest at each side rail 232 thereof is providedwith a hook or hooked finger portion 244 adapted to be fitted into asuitable hole provided in an angle bracket 246 secured to the respectivefoot rest. As shown, the hook 244 extends laterally rearwardly of theleg rest to fit in and rest upon the bracket 246. Thus, in all positionsof inclination of the foot rest supports, the leg rest is firmlysupported by the brackets 246 against inadvertent disassociation of theleg rest and foot rest.

As will be appreciated, the leg rest 42 need not be in constant use formany chair occupants, and also in their in-use position, will preventcollapsing of the chair. In view of these factors, I provide means forstoring the leg rests in an out-of-the-way position on the chair whenthe same are not in use and when the chair is to be collapsed. Aspointed out hereinbefore, the outer leg rest section 218 is of a sizesmaller than the inner leg rest section 216 and is adapted to bereceived within the confines of the same, while the inner leg restsection 216 is of a size smaller than the base 94 of each part of theseat 32. Due to such arrangement, each leg rest 4-2 is adapted to becollapsed and stored under one part of the seat 32, and due to thetelescopic association of the two sections thereof, each leg rest is ofa minimum thickness so as to be storable substantially within theconfines of a seat base 94, in which position the same will not obstructor interfere with collapsing of the chair. To mount each leg rest formovement to and from the stored and in-use positions thereof, I providean elongate strap or leaf spring 248 beneath each seat part, the springbeing secured to the lower surface of the seat at the rear base memberof the seat part and being slidably mounted at the front of the seat Atthe rearward end thereof, the spring is bent downwardly to define arecess 250, but throughout the major portion of its length, the sameengages the lower surface of the seat. Adjacent the forward end of theseat, the spring is bent downwardly to clear the front base member ofthe seat part, and then is bent upwardly toward the ledge member orsupport 242. The spring extends upwardly in front of the ledge memberand then extends rearwardly over the ledge member and is slidablymounted against the lower surface of the seat. The spring or strap 248is of a width slightly less than that of the handle portion 230 of theguide rail member and in the path of extension thereof passes freelythrough the said portion 230 whereby the portion 230 is slidably mountedon the spring.

To move the leg rest from its in use position, as shown in solid linesin Figure 6, to the stored position thereof, as shown in dotted lines,the lower end of the leg rest is disassociated from the foot rest byswinging the same forwardly of the foot rest, after which the leg restis collapsed. Then, a slight forward pull on both sections of the legrest will move the handle portion 230 of the inner section otf of theledge 242, which movement is accommodated by the resiliency and slidablemounting of the spring 248. Thereafter, the handle portion may be movedrearwardly along the spring 248 until the same enters the recess 250, atwhich point the leg rest may be pivoted about the handle portion 230thereof into a position engaging the lower surface of the seat withinthe confines of the base 94. Since the spring 248 rests fiat against thebottom of the seat part, the spring will not interfere with movement ofthe sheet 224 of the leg rest material into engagement with the lowersurface of the seat. To retain the leg rest in its stored position, lockmeans, such as spring clips 252, may be provided adjacent the front ofthe seat on each side of the leg rest. In either position thereof, theleg rests are disposed to be manipulated by the chair occupant, wherebythe occupant himself may attend to his own comfort.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that each of the componentparts of the Wheel chair of my invention is formed in a highlyefficient, practical and economical manner. Also, the assembly of thevarious components into the completed wheel chair, as shown in Figure 1,is readily effected to provide an improved wheel chair 17 that has avery pleasing appearance, and that is sturdy and reliable in use.

A particular advantage of the wheel chair of the present inventionresides in the collapsible linkage means incorporated thereinaccommodating folding of the chair to a collapsed position wherein thesame comprises a very compact and easily handled package. The linkagemeans is extremely easy to operate and readily accommodates folding ofthe chair to and from its collapsed and extended positions. In theextended position of use, the collapsible linkage means affords a veryfirm and reliable support for the side frames and the seat of the chair.Also, the said collapsible linkage leads to the provision of knee actionand shock absorbing functions, wherein the support is such that eachwheel in practical effect is individually suspended to insure optimumshock absorbing characteristics, while the seat of the chair isconstantly maintained in a given substantially horizontal plane toinsure the complete comfort of the chair occupant.

Other features leading to the complete comfort of the chair occupant arethe provision of the improved back rest, foot rests and leg rests of thepresent invention. These features also lead to the accomplishment ofsubstantially complete self-reliance on the part of the chair occupantfor the reason that all chair adjustments affecting the comfort andmotivation of the chair occupant are within his ready reach and areconveniently actuated by him. Contributing to the spirit ofself-reliance is the provision of the improved brake means of thepresent invention whereby the chair occupant is always assured ofperfect control of the chair.

In view of the above, it will be appreciated that the present inventionprovides an improved wheel chair that not only exhibits advantageousstructural qualities over prior developments in the art, but that alsoprovides the further advantage that all components thereof are readilyoperated and used by the chair occupant himself, whereby his feeling ofself-reliance and independence is appreciably enhanced, thus renderinghis life and the lives of those about him more enjoyable. Also, thewheel chair of the present invention accommodates convenient travel in asubstantially non-restricted orbit, whereby the mental anguishheretofore caused by the confining restrictions of invalidity is atleast substantially reduced if not entirely eliminated.

The described collapsible linkage and improved foot and leg rest meansare also directly adapted to folding wheel chairs of modified form, suchas one having its traction wheels at the rear of the chair (which wouldbe particularly advantageous for outdoor use), and to folding wheelchairs having different forms of side frames, traction means, etc.,without diminution of the advantages above observed.

Thus, while I have described what I regard to be preferred embodiment ofmy invention, it will be appreciated that various changes,rearrangements and modifications may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A wheel chair comprising a pair of spaced parallel side frames, aseat extending between said side frames,

and a linkage extending between said side frames, said seat comprisingtwo parts pivotally connected together centrally between said sideframes and each pivotally connected adjacent its outer side to one ofsaid side frames, said linkage comprising a pair of horizontal linkseach pivotally connected adjacent its outer end to one of said sideframes, said links being pivotally connected to one another centrallybetween said side frames, a vertical link pivotally connected at itslower end to the central connection of said horizontal links andpivotally connected at its upper end to said seat parts centrally between said side frames, a block slidably mounted on said vertical link,and a pair of diagonal links each pivotally connected at its inner endto said block and at its outer end adjacent the outer end of one of saidhorizontal links.

2. A wheel chair comprising a pair of spaced parallel side frames, aseat extending between said side frames, said seat comprising two partspivotally connected together centrally between said side frames and eachpivotally connected adjacent its outer side to one of said side frames,and linkage means extending between said side frames, said linkage meansincluding a front linkage and a rear linkage, each comprising a pair ofhorizontal links each pivotally connected to one of said side frames,said links being pivotally connected to one another centrally betweensaid frames, and a vertical link pivotally connected at its lower end tothe central connection of said horizontal links and pivotally supportedat its upper end by said seat parts centrally between said side frames,the horizontal links of one of said linkages including cooperableportions preventing movement thereof downwardly beyond a substantiallyhorizontal position, the other of said linkages including a blockslidably mounted on the vertical link thereof and a pair of diagonallinks each pivotally connected at its inner end to said block and at itsouter end adjacent the outer end of one of the horizontal links of saidother linkage.

3. A folding wheel chair comprising a pair of spaced substantiallyparallel side frames, a seat extending between said side frames, saidseat comprising a pair of similar rigid .parts pivotally connectedtogether centrally between said side frames and each being pivotallyconnected adjacent its outer side and adjacent one end thereof to one ofsaid side frames, and a collapsible linkage extending between said sideframes, said linkage comprising a pair of horizontal links eachpivotally connected at its outer end to one of said side frames beneathsaid seat parts, said links being pivotally connected to one another atthe inner ends thereof centrally between said side frames, a verticallink pivotally connected at its lower end to the central connection ofsaid horizontal links and at its upper end to the central connection ofsaid seat parts, a block slidably mounted on said vertical link normallyadjacent the upper end thereof, and a pair of diagonal links of a lengthgreater than said horizontal links each pivotally connected at its outerend to the outer end of one of said horizontal links and edits inner endto said block.

4. A folding wheel chair comprising a pair of spaced substantiallyparallel side frames, a seat extending between said side frames, saidseat comprising a pair of similar parts pivotally connected togethercentrally between said side frames and each being pivotally connectedadjacent its outer side and at least one end thereof to one of said sideframes, and a pair of collapsible linkages extending between said sideframes, one adjacent the front and one adjacent the rear thereof, saidfront link-age comprising a first horizontal link of a length equalapproximately to one-half the spacing between said side frames pivotallyconnected at the outer end thereof to one of said side frames, a secondhorizontal link comprising a downwardly open channel of a length greaterthan that of said first link pivotally connected at the outer endthereof to the other of said side frames, said first link beingpositioned within said second link and being pivotally connected to saidsecond link centrally between said side frames, and a vertical linkpivotally connected at its lower end to the central connection of saidhorizontal links and at its upper end to the central connection of saidseat parts, said rear linkage comprising a pair of horizontal linkspivotally connected to one another at the inner ends thereof centrallybetween said side frames and each pivotally connected at its outer endto one of said side frames, a vertical link pivotally connected at itslower end to the central connection of said horizontal links of saidrear linkage and at its. upper end to the central connection ofsaidseatpartaa blockslidably mounted on said vertical link of said rearlinkage, and apair-of diagonal links of a length greater than saidhorizontal links of said rear linkage. eachpivotally connected at itsouter end to the outer end of one of said horizontal links of said rearlinkage. and. at its inner end to. said block.

5. A wheelchair comprising a pair of spaced parallel side frames, a seatextending between said side frames, a relatively narrow elongate leaftype spring attached tothe lower surface of said seat and extending fromadjacent. the front ofsaid seat rearwardly beneath said seat, anextensible leg rest including a pairof telescopically associated framemembers, one of said frame members including a U-shaped portion at theouter end thereof definingan opening adapted for the reception andpassage of saidspring, said U-shaped portion being slidably mounted-on.said springto support the-outer end-of said one frame member, and asupport secured to said. seat adjacent the. front thereof within theconfines of said spring, said spring accommodating positioning of saidU-shaped portion of said one frame on said support to dispose said legrest in an in-use position, said spring accommodating disassociation ofsaid U-shaped portion and. said support and sliding of said U-shaped'portion toward the rear of said seat, said frame members of said legrest being movable to a position defining a width and length less thanthe corresponding dimensions of said seat, whereby said leg rest isadapted to be stored in an out-ofithe-way position beneath said seat.

6. A wheel chair comprising apair of spacedparallel side frames, a seatextending between said side frames, a relatively narrow elongate leaftype spring secured to the lower surface of said seat adjacent the frontand rear thereof and extending beneath said seat, a leg rest comprisinga pair'of generally rectangular frames each including side rails and asheet of horrible material stretched'tautly between and connected tosaid side rails, one of said frames being of a width greater than theotherframeand telescopically receiving said other frame, said side railsof both frames defining. cooperating longitudinal guide-meansaccommodating telescopic association of said frames and relativelongitudinal movement of saidframes, one of said frames 'at theouter'end thereof defining an opening adapted for the reception andpassage-of said spring, said-spring being received within said openingslidably to support said one frame on said seat, said oneframe'beingmovable to an in-use'position adjacent the front of said seatand being slidable on said spring to a position adjacent therear of saidseat,.said frames of said leg rest being movable to a collapsed positionwherein said leg rest is ofa size smaller than said seat, whereby saidleg rest isadapted to be stored immediately beneath said seat, and meansfor retaining said legrest inits stored position.

7. A wheel chair-comprising a pair. of side frames, a seat extendingbetween'said side frame, a foot rest support-pivotally mounted on one ofsaid-frames at the frontof the chair, means foradjustably positioningsaid support with respect to said seat, a foot restmounted on saidsupport-for adjustment longitudinally of said support, a strappositioned beneath said seat and extending from adjacent the frontofsaid seat rearwardlybeneath said seat, and an extensible leg restslidably-supported atone end-thereof onsaid strap and adapted-at theother endthereofto be detachably connected to said foot rest,

said leg-rest being slidable=on said strap to an in-use position whereinsaid one end thereof is supported by said strap adjacentthefront of saidseat and said other end thereof is detachably connected to said footrest,

similar parts pivotally connected together centrally between said sideframes and each being pivotally connected adjacent its outer end withrespect. to one of said side frames, a collapsiblelinkage extendingbetween said side frames, said linkage comprising a pain of horizontallinks each pivotally connected to one of said side frames, said linksbeing pivotally connected to one another centrally between said frames,a vertical link pivotally connected at its lower end to thecentralconnection of said horizontal links and pivotally connected atits upper end to the central connection of-said seat parts, a relativelynarrow elongate strap positioned closely beneath each of said seat partsand extending from adjacent the front of the respective seat partrearwardly beneath said seat part, a pair of leg rests-each associatedwith one of said seat parts and including a frame of a width less thanthat of each seat part having an opening in the inner end thereofcomplementary to the respective strap, said strap being received Withinthe said opening in said frame of the respective leg rest slidably tosupport said inner end of the leg rest, each of said frames beingslidably mounted on the respective strap whereby said inner end of eachleg rest is movable on the respective strap from an in-use position of'the leg rest wherein said inner end is supported on said strap adjacentthe front of said seat and the leg rest depends therefrom, to a storedposition of the leg rest, wherein said inner end is supported on saidstrap adjacent the rear of said seat and the leg rest is adapted to bedisposed beneath the respective seat part closely adjacent thereto, andmeans for retaining the outer end of each leg rest-closely adjacent therespective seat part in said stored position, said leg rests when intheir storedposition accommodating collapsing of said linkage andfolding of said seat parts to accommodate movement of said side framesinto closely adjacent relation.

9. A folding wheel chair comprising a pair of spaced substantiallyparallel side frames, a-seat extending between said side frames, saidseat comprising a .pair of similar parts pivotally connected togethercentrally between said side frames and each being pivotally connectedadjacent its outer side with respect to one of said side frames,collapsible linkage means extending between said side frames, saidlink-age means including a front'linkage and a rear linkage eachcomprising a pair of horizontal links each pivotally connected to one ofsaid side frames, said links being pivotally connected to one anothercentrally between said side frames, a vertical link pivotally connectedat its lower end to the central connection of said horizontal link andpivotally conpart rearwardly beneath said seat-part. and a pair ofextensible legrests each-associated with one of said seat parts, eachofsaid legrests being slidably supported-at one end thereof on therespective strap andv being adapted at the other end thereof to bedetachably connected to the foot .rest on the respective side of thechair, each of said leg rests being slidable. on the respective strap toan in-use position wherein said one end thereof is supported by saidstrapadjacenttthe front of said seat part and said other end thereof isdetachably connected to the respective foot rest, each of said leg restsbeing detachable from the respective foot rest and slidable on therespective strap to a stored position beneath said seat, said leg restsin the stored position thereof accommodating collapsing of said linkagemeans and folding of said seat parts to move said side frames closelyadjacent one another.

10. A foldin'g'wheel chair comprising a pair of spaced substantiallyparallel side frames, a seat exten'din'g bc- 21 tween said side frames,said seat comprising a pair of similar parts pivotally connectedtogether centrally between said side frames and each being pivotallyconnected adjacent its outer side and at at least one end thereof withrespect to one of said side frames, a pair of collapsible linkagesextending between said side frames, one adjacent the front and oneadjacent the rear thereof, said front linkage comprising a pair ofhorizontal links each pivotally connected to one of said side frames,said links being pivotally connected to one another centrally betweensaid frames, and a vertical link pivotally connected at its lower end tothe central connection of said horizontal links and pivotally connectedat its upper end to the central connection of said seat parts, said rearlinkage comprising a pair of horizontal links, each pivotally connectedto one of said side frames, said links being pivotally connected to oneanother centrally between said side frames, a vertical link pivotallyconnected at its lower end to the central connection of said horizontallinks of said rear linkage and pivotally connected at its upper end tothe central connection of said seat parts, a block slidably mounted onsaid vertical link of said rear linkage, and a pair of diagonal linkseach pivotally connected at its inner end to said block and at its outerend adjacent the outer end of one of said horizontal links of said rearlinkage, a foot rest support pivotally mounted on each of said sideframes at the front of the chair, means for adjustably positioning eachof said supports with respect to the respective side frame, a foot restmounted on each of said supports for adjustment longitudinally of therespective support, each of said foot rests being pivotally supportedfor movement from a horizontal in-use position to a vertical position, arelatively narrow elongate leaf type spring secured to the lower surfaceof each of said seat parts adjacent the front and rear thereof andextending beneath the respective seat part, a pair of leg rests eachassociated with one of said seat parts, each leg rest comprising a pairof generally rectangular frames each including side rails and a sheet offlexible material stretched between and connected to said side rails,one of said frames being of a width greater than the other frame andtelescopically receiving said other frame, said side rails of bothframes defining cooperating longitudinal guide means accommodatingtelescopic association and relative longitudinal movement of saidframes, one of the frames of each of said leg rests at the outer endthereof defining an opening adapted for the reception and passage of therespective spring, each of said springs being received within theopening in the respective frame slidably to support the respective frameon the respective seat part, said one frame of each of said leg restsbeing movable on the respective spring to an in-use position adjacentthe front of the respective seat part, the other frame of each ofsaidleg rests at the outer end thereof having means adapted for detachableconnection to the respective foot rest, each of said leg rests beingdetachable from the respective foot rest and slidable on the respectivespring to a stored position beneath the respective seat part, the framesof each of said leg rests being movable to a collapsed position whereinthe respective leg rest is of a size smaller than the respective seatpart, and means for retaining each of said leg rests in its storedposition beneath the respective seat part, said foot rests in thevertical position thereof and said leg rests in the stored positionthereof accommodating collapsing of said linkages and folding of saidseat parts, whereby the wheel chair may be moved to a collapsed positionwherein said side frames are disposed closely adjacent one another.

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